The Rescue of Dejah Thoris

This flow follows Dejah Thoris from her capture by the Tharks through her rescue, renewed captivity in Zodanga, and return to Helium.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Captured After the Battle

A Peaceful Mission Attacked The expedition’s defeat Dejah Thoris arrives with a scientific party from Helium to study the atmosphere. The Tharks mistake the expedition’s presence for an opportunity for violence and overwhelm its airships. A captive among enemies The surviving princess is dragged into the ruined city of Korad. Carter sees her appeal for help but does not yet understand the gesture, a failure that haunts his first impression of their relationship.

A Thark Council Appeal

The Prisoner Speaks A political argument Before Lorquas Ptomel and the Thark council, Dejah Thoris argues that cooperation between red and green peoples could preserve life on a declining planet. Her speech briefly unsettles the assembled warriors. Violence interrupts A young warrior strikes her before a change of policy can take hold. Carter attacks and kills him, making protection of the princess a public commitment as well as a private choice.

Escape from Thark

Flight from the Jeddak An urgent escape plan Carter learns that Dejah Thoris faces torture under Tal Hajus. He, Sola, and the princess plan to flee toward a distant waterway, hoping their chosen route will mislead pursuit. The pursuit catches up The plan is exposed, and Dejah Thoris is taken to Tal Hajus while Carter is captured after holding off the Tharks. The escape fails to secure freedom but reveals the depth of their loyalty to one another.

Captive in Zodanga

A Princess Used as a Bargain A forced political choice Dejah Thoris is held in Zodanga while its rulers seek to end their war with Helium through her promised marriage to Sab Than. She accepts the proposal to protect her people, not from love. Carter’s mistaken despair Carter hears her promise and believes she has forgotten him. Their reunion clarifies that her pledge is a sacrifice made under political pressure, while also showing how binding custom limits her choices.

Return to Helium

Rescue and Homecoming The interrupted ceremony Carter enters the royal wedding ceremony as the Thark assault reaches the palace. He breaks the chain intended to bind Dejah Thoris to Sab Than and fights to keep her alive amid the battle. A restored reunion With Zodanga defeated and the siege of Helium lifted, Dejah Thoris returns to her family. She can now accept Carter’s proposal freely, ending the sequence of captivity and rescue.

During the first battle at Korad

Several days after Dejah Thoris’s capture

After the Thark caravan reaches Thark

After Carter joins the Zodangan air scouts

After the fall of Zodanga